The 2007 Worcester State College Lancer football team will be looking to rebound from their first sub .500 season since 1999.  Under the direction of Head Coach Brien Cullen ’77 (23rd year, 130-85) the team will build around a nucleus developed last season as younger players earned significant playing time during the difficult 4-6 season.

Offensively, the team will build around an offensive line that has plenty of size and experience.  Jonathan Remkus anchors the line at his left tackle position.  Remkus, who will serve as a tri-captain this season, has been a three year starter for the offensive line.  At first glance he will be joined along the front line by Kyle Pratt at left guard, Doug Gallant at center and Sean Doolin at right tackle but the competition during preseason should be fierce as plenty of size and speed have joined the Worcester State roster up front.

Quarterback Pat Good returns for his junior season after totaling 1,753 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.  In the backfield, the Lancers will be starting anew as the graduation of 4 year starter Steve Kasprzak leaves a vacancy in the ground game.  Mario Johnson is the leading candidate from a group of returners to replace a large chunk of those yards while several freshmen will also get a long look and push Johnson for playing time.  The same is true at receiver where the Lancers lost three wide outs to graduation.  The Lancer receiving corps will be looking for an influx of talent from the freshman class as well as several returners who saw limited action last season.

Defensively, the Lancers return nose tackle Chris Grautski and defensive end Mike Coppola to what appears to be a strong defensive front.  Sophomore Steve Melville will be looked at to help replace the shoes of All-ECAC defensive end Anthony Figueiredo.  The linebackers boast seniors Pat Savage and Tim Bartucca along with junior Nick Gallant competing for starting spots.  In the defensive backfield, the Lancers return Matt Zompa at one corner while versatile Matt Leeds will patrol the middle of the field at one of the safety slots. Senior Tom Fallon will also be looked to for veteran leadership in the secondary.  The remaining starting defensive backfield spots will be determined by the outcome of preseason camp battles.

Chris Nosek will enter camp handling the placekicking duties for the Lancer special team unit.  Nosek has bided his time the past two seasons behind All-New England and Worcester State all-time leading kick scorer Tom Gabriel.  Tim Bartucca returns return for his third year as the team’s punter.